Live Thread: Ravens at Bucs, Chargers at Cardinals, Monday Night Football doubleheader

Week 7 ends with a “Monday Night Football” doubleheader, first with the Baltimore Ravens at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, then 45 minutes later the Los Angeles Chargers start at the Arizona Cardinals. Unlike previous doubleheaders this season, ESPN and ABC will show the first game, while the second will be available nationally on the ESPN+ streaming service.

There’s another twist to Monday’s festivities. ESPN2 will feature The Manningcast, and while they will primarily be watching the Ravens vs. Bucs game, they will jump in and show a few highlights from the Chargers vs. Cardinals game. Once the first game is over, they move on to the other game for additional coverage.

Ravens (4-2) vs. Buccaneers (4-2)

Betting line, prediction and how to watch

Baltimore is the favorite in this game as the folks at FanDuel Sportsbook have set the betting limit at Ravens -3.5 points.

This should be fun. These two teams feature two high-scoring offenses, with the Bucs averaging 29.7 points per game (T-2nd best in the NFL) and the Ravens averaging 29.5 PPG (4th). On third downs, the Ravens are No. 1 in conversions while the Bucs are No. 4, meaning you can expect some longer drives and lots of points.

Erik’s Prediction: Ravens 31-27

Date: Monday, October 21, 2024
Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Location: Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida
TV: ESPN/ABC
Announcer: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Lisa Salters (field reporter)
ESPN 2: Manningcast with Peyton and Eli Manning and special guests
Online streaming: ESPN+, ESPN APP, NFL Sunday Ticket via YouTube, NFL+ Premium

Manningcast’s guest list in the first half includes former Patriots coach Bill Belichick, followed by quarterback Joe Flacco and former Ravens safety Ed Reed. The fourth guest, NFL Red Zone’s Scott Hanson, will join the show after the move for game two.

Chargers (3-2) at Cardinals (2-4)

Betting line, prediction and how to watch

Los Angeles has the better record and is the favorite in this game as the folks at FanDuel Sportsbook have set the betting limit at Chargers -2.5 points.

When the Chargers can run the ball well, they tend to have an advantage. In fact, running back JK Dobbins has rushed for 95 yards three times this season, each leading to Chargers wins. The Cardinals are 1-2 since losing to the Detroit Lions, scoring no more than two touchdowns in their two losses, while scoring 24 points in their win over the 49ers. This game appears to be much closer than the other “MNF” game this week and could be a close game if the main broadcast changes late in the game.

Erik’s Prediction: Chargers 20-14

Date: Monday, October 21, 2024
Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
Location: State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona
TV: ESPN+
ESPN 2: Manningcast with Peyton and Eli Manning and special guest Scott Hanson
Announcer: Chris Fowler, Louis Riddick, Dan Orlovsky, Laura Rutledge (field reporter)
Online streaming: ESPN+, ESPN APP, NFL Sunday Ticket via YouTube, NFL+ Premium

Enjoy the games and chat with us in the comments.